Microsoft shows off the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach limited edition bundle and talks about Forge World

At ComiCon, Microsoft announced the Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Halo:Reach" Bundle that Chuck posted about yesterday. Not surprising as Microsoft's been doing these special bundles for their top tier games for a bit now. The whole shebang is coming out on September 14th and will cost you $399.

$399 nets you the new slim console in a Halo inspired grey along with some designs as you can see below. The two wireless controllers are also branded with the same grey color with Halo designs and, of course, we can't leave out the wired headset as well.

If you want the wireless or headset with those designs, you can pick that up as well in August. If you pick up the controller for $59.99, you'll also get an animated Covenant Banshee Avatar item as well. The wireless headset will sell for $49.99 and both can be pre-ordered today.

Finally, those that love to build will be happy to hear that Forge 2.0 will offer up new tools and Forge World is a new giant canvas for players to build alone or with seven other friends via Xbox Live or system link. This kind of collaboration will be cool to see as to what kind of maps come out of this process.

Microsoft and Bungie also reveal Forge World for “Halo: Reach,” empowering aspiring game designers to build and share unique map creations over Xbox LIVE when the game releases this September

The biggest game of 2010, “Halo: Reach,” is getting the ultimate hardware treatment. The Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle launches day and date with the game on September 14 and provides both an incredible value and a stunning way to celebrate the iconic franchise. The commemorative bundle will be available with matching custom “Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Controllers. Additionally, Microsoft and Bungie revealed an onslaught of other “Halo: Reach” news today at Comic-Con International, including a first look at Forge World, Versus Firefight mode and more.

The Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle is Available for Pre-Order Today

The Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle features an exclusive silver design and comes with two custom Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers with artwork inspired by the game, a Standard Edition copy of “Halo: Reach,” a token for the Limited Edition Elite armor set, an episode of “Halo Legends” and a “Halo: Reach”-themed Xbox 360 wired headset. As an added touch, the specially designed console in the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle not only captures the look and feel of the game, but also features custom sound effects from the “Halo” universe.

Designed by Bungie, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle includes all the features of the newly designed Xbox 360 console, such as a 250 GB Hard Drive and the fastest built-in Wi-Fi for the easiest connection to Xbox LIVE. The bundle is available in limited quantities and only while supplies last, so fans who want to own a piece of the “Halo” mythology are encouraged to pre-order quickly. The Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle has a suggested retail price of $399 USD, and will be available on Sept. 14. To offer a closer look at the contents of the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo: Reach” Bundle, Microsoft and Bungie unveiled an unboxing video of the bundle, which is available for download today on Halo Waypoint and Halo.Xbox.com.

“Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Controller and Wireless Headset Available Worldwide in Late August

In addition to the exclusive new console bundle, Microsoft and Bungie unveiled the “Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Controller and the “Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Headset, both of which feature a distinctive silver color and exclusive “Halo” artwork by Bungie. Available in late August for $59.99 (U.S.), the “Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Controller includes an Xbox LIVE token for an animated Covenant Banshee Avatar item. The “Halo: Reach” Limited Edition Wireless Headset will also be available in late August for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). Both accessories are being produced in limited quantities and are available for pre-order today.

Forge World and Versus Firefight Modes Revealed

Continuing the “Halo” tradition of offering players a groundbreaking level of customization, Microsoft and Bungie announced Forge 2.0, a robust set of new editing tools built into “Halo: Reach” that will empower aspiring game designers to easily create and share their unique “Halo: Reach” multiplayer map creations with the world. Set on one of the series’ iconic “Halo” rings, Forge World is a massive, beautifully-rendered landscape that serves as a giant canvas for players to build unique map creations alone or cooperatively with up to seven friends on Xbox LIVE or system link, or three friends via split-screen. Utilizing the upgraded Forge 2.0 toolset, Forge World holds unlimited creative potential for millions of armchair designers to sculpt, build and share the most intricate and visually stunning maps they can imagine. To showcase the new features in Forge 2.0, Bungie released a new ViDoc that will take viewers on a whirlwind tour of Forge World, which is available for download today on Halo Waypoint, Halo.Xbox.com and www.bungie.net.

Additionally, Microsoft and Bungie are giving attendees at Comic-Con International the first public hands-on with the Firefight multiplayer mode at the Xbox booth, including the newly unveiled Versus Firefight mode, which pits a team of player-controlled Elites with Covenant AI support against a team of player-controlled Spartans. Everyone who plays a Firefight match will receive a free token to unlock an exclusive Noble 6 helmet for their Xbox LIVE Avatars.

The “Halo” excitement at Comic-Con continues throughout the week at the Xbox booth, and on Sunday there will be a special “Halo” panel hosted by 343 Industries at 11:00 a.m. in Room 32AB. “Halo” franchise development director Frank O’Connor hosts this panel of renowned “Halo” creators to discuss the future of the broader “Halo” universe, including appearances by authors and representatives from long-standing partners including Tor Books and Marvel Comics. Additionally, a few lucky fans will receive Comic-Con exclusive commemorative posters celebrating the “Halo” universe by attending the panel event.

Developed by acclaimed studio Bungie exclusively for Xbox 360, “Halo: Reach” launches worldwide on Sept. 14, 2010, and in Japan on Sept. 15. “Halo: Reach” is available for preorder in Standard, Limited and Legendary editions at participating retailers worldwide. The Standard Edition has an estimated retail price of $59.99 (U.S.), and the Limited and Legendary editions of the game will retail for $79.99 and $149.99 (U.S.), respectively, and are packed with extras fans won’t want to miss. As a special bonus, fans can receive a token to unlock an exclusive in-game Spartan Recon Helmet, by picking up a copy of the game on launch day at North American retail stores, and outside of North America by making a pre-order reservation at participating retailers. Fans are encouraged to pre-order quickly as quantities of the Limited and Legendary editions are selling fast and are expected to be completely pre-sold by launch.